I’m highly addicted to mumsnet and I want to leave

[secretwalkway]

I’m addicted to using mumsnet, actually addicted.

I spend so much time reading threads on here and on the coronavirus board

I feel like I HAVE to read it. I feel so gloomy after reading what’s on there, but I still feel the need to read every single day.

I’ve posted and asked various question on AIBU before and half the time I don’t even know why I ask.

I’ve asked on here for people to make decisions for me, ask questions about my marriage and conversations with friends or family.
I use MN to seek a lot of reassurance and I feel like I now can’t manage without it.

My husband is always commenting about how much time I spend on my phone, but I haven’t told him what I’m actually doing.

I really think my usage here is affecting my mental health and the things people have said to me on threads (or things I’ve read they have said to other people) have really stuck with me and I can’t let things go. I get so deeply invested.

I’ve tried blocking the website on my phone but after a few hours I get such an overwhelming need to check that I end up unblocking it to check.

I check in the middle of the night, at work, when I’m trying to watch tv.

I’m honestly addicted and I hate it.

It can be so addictive, I've been on here since 2005 and every few years I will deregister for a bit and come back with with a new name and good intentions about not spending as much time on here.

If it's any consolation your name isn't one of those where I think OMG they are on here all the time. There are certain posters who are on here virtually 24/7/365 despite pretending to have busy lives and jobs.

I think it might depend on which threads you go on . For me, I need to stay off the coronavirus board, I don't know why I go on it as everyone who posts has an extreme opinion (of one end of the scale or the other) but still I look and it winds me up.

Maybe hide the particular threads that draw you in and just look at something innocuous like chat.

I find myself looking at MN late in the evening , thinking I'll have a quick read with my last cup of tea and I'm still here two hours later .

@shinynewapple21

I need to stay off the coronavirus board, I don't know why I go on it as everyone who posts has an extreme opinion

I can’t stop reading it. I really can’t.
I’m drawn to the doom of that board 😳

Another thing I try to do which is helpful is to go on my 'watch' list and 'unwatch' so I don't keep returning to really annoying threads .

I probably spend more time than I should on MN, could be broader even I was going to be online. I hide topics - some as I’m not interested, others like coronavirus because I’d spend too much time. I do look at the coronavirus section but I have to go there, it doesn’t appear in Active.

If you don’t go cold turkey then hide more topics.

I had a complete break from it last year during the first lockdown as the place was quite ridiculous. I replaced it with reading and listening to podcasts. I followed people on YouTube and Instagram and watched all kinds of other stuff.

A few years ago MN was hacked and everyone got an enforced break from it because it literally wasn't there for a few days, sounds like you could do with that again. (Although it was horrible at the time)

Hide some topics would be good starting with the Coronavirus one.

[quote secretwalkway]@shinynewapple21

I need to stay off the coronavirus board, I don't know why I go on it as everyone who posts has an extreme opinion

I can’t stop reading it. I really can’t.
I’m drawn to the doom of that board 😳[/quote]
Honestly just hide it. It will stop threads appearing in your Active list. I have about 10 topics left not hidden.

I like the suggestion to learn a foreign language instead - I’m sitting here with my textbook in front of me as I was going to review some vocab before a lesson tomorrow. The book hasn’t been touched because I’m too busy scrolling through MN

I also spend too much time on here, mainly lurking as I know I get wound up by internet arguments. A lot on here gets me down - I’m trying to avoid any thread with ‘neighbour’ in the title at least because it feeds into my own worries. If I spend any length of time reading about bad neighbours, CFs and bullies I find myself feeling really negative about humanity. Whereas spending time with real people reveals the gits are in a minority.

I've been around for 16 years and it is quite compelling, but you really shouldn't ever take to heart any harsh comments, there's always some fucker that wants to make themselves feel better by taking someone else down.

There is fantastic advice and support available for women here but don't ever post on AIBU if you're feeling a bit vulnerable, or necessarily take everything you read as cant.

It's entertaining, and can offer support, if it's not helping you though, put it down for a bit.

I found Mumsnet quite bad for my mental health so left for a few months but ended up coming back out of curiosity. Definitely go cold turkey.

If you really want to quit, contact MNHQ (you could just report your own OP) and tell them you want to deregister. And delete the app, if you use one, don't just block it.

I also find it somewhat compelling, sometimes I use as a way to zone out, reading light-hearted threads and what have you. I try not to get drawn into arguments and I hide threads if I feel they're taking a turn for the worse.

I have wondered if there could be a function whereby you block yourself from posting for a period of time and the block can't be undone, a kind of Ulysses pact if you like 🤷‍♀️
Tie me to the mast so I can hear the sirens but not get dashed on the rocks🧜‍♀️⛵

During lockdown I was the same with Instagram, now I’m sick of Sam faiers, mrs hinch and other d list Schlebs quoting “ inspirational quotes” 🤢 and crap that they’re flogging making lots of money from. I’ve deleted and gone cold turkey and feel a lot better now!

Read a book instead.

Does your workplace offer any well being package that would let you access counseling?

Taking to a professional could get you tools to help limit or avoid Mumsnet. Or even identify why you are using it so much to begin with.

[quote BearOfEasttown]@secretwalkway

Just call a few posters stupid cunts, and @ few admins in and call them sad fuckers. You will be perma banned then, and will never have to return.

Just kidding!........... You could just take a break and not come on here for a week or two.[/quote]